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Legalize trade in rhino horns

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Thursday July 17, 2014 5:00 AM

If we simply apply basic economics to the problem of rhinoceros poaching, we’ll find that this
whole problem is nothing more than another failed drug war policy (“Rhino horn trafficking
difficult to curb,” Bloomberg News article, Sunday
Dispatch).

For whatever idiotic reason, there’s a demand for rhino horns. This demand will never go away.
So what should be done? Should selling rhino horns be made illegal, just like alcohol was?
Obviously, no.

Just look at the 21st Amendment and Colorado's new multimillion monthly marijuana revenue to see
the success of the War on Drugs.

A sane policy would be to let people sell rhino horns. This way, just like with any livestock,
one would find “rhino farms” where people could raise a few rhinos in a wide open area.

Then, when they died from old age, the horns could be lopped off and sold for market value.

Then, even without government regulations, the problem would slowly go away as buyers would
likely be willing to pay a few extra dollars for “humanely” gathered rhinoceros horns. Profits from
risking one’s life hunting in a jungle just wouldn’t be worth it.

How is raising cattle any different than raising rhinos (besides size)? How can anyone be
anti-drug prohibition, but pro-poaching prohibition? They’re one and the same.